Even after successfully planting a Star Mark on Ging, Morrow couldn't proceed to the second stage of application.
After all, this was just combat training. Morrow couldn't possibly mobilize his full aura output to unleash a massively amplified Shooting Star at Ging.
Still, being able to tactically outmaneuver an opponent of Ging's caliber was already sufficient for him.
Morrow raised his hand to catch the scabbard Ging tossed over and continued immersing himself in combat training.
Only after exhausting his potential aura did Morrow switch to cultivation methods combining Zetsu and body tempering.
Once his potential aura had partially recovered, he would have Ging stand within the range of Starlight Convergence, repeatedly executing various rapid aura output maneuvers.
Days passed like this.
—--
By the end of July, the excavation work at the underground palace ruins in Akasha had officially concluded, transitioning into the reinforcement and maintenance phase.
This stage no longer required much manpower.
Many team members began taking long-awaited breaks, conserving their energy for the next assignment.
As for Nen exorcism consultants like Tessa, they typically moved between various ruins, keeping exceptionally busy.
Sanbica, whom she had brought along earlier, certainly couldn't idle around either.
Months prior, she had already left Thousand Mirror Lake to continue dedicating herself to the great cause of medical work.
As for Morrow, after the excavation work neared its end, he had more time to maintain his extremely intense day-and-night training.
His drive was so fierce it seemed he wanted to squeeze every last bit of value from Ging's sparring sessions.
Fortunately, Ging was extremely professional. Although he disliked being tied down to one place or even one task, he never slacked off, diligently assisting Morrow in refining his abilities at every moment.
During this period, Ging also didn't waste Morrow's Nen exorcism ability.
Whenever necessary, he would have Morrow handle it.
Menchi remained by Morrow and Ging's side.
Because Ging, that wealthy tycoon, could constantly procure various ingredients for her to experiment with different forms of culinary preparation.
Not only did she thoroughly enjoy this, but she also made excellent use of the opportunity to publicly share the edibility of certain ingredients and various cooking methods within the Gourmet Hunter industry.
Through this approach, she not only built a considerable reputation in the industry but also, due to her outstanding contributions, achieved her desired Single-Star Hunter title.
Lastly, there was Kurapika.
In the first half of the year, he participated in the team's work but didn't waste the chance to train and grow stronger together.
After the excavation work at the Akasha ruins concluded, instead of staying with Menchi by Morrow's side, he set off alone to retrieve his clansmen's eyes.
Because he had already uncovered the whereabouts of most of his clansmen's eyes.
This was all thanks to Ging's intelligence network.
Artists, politicians, cult leaders, capitalists, corporate employees, fraudsters, doctors, pastors, investors, musicians, lawyers, even cram school teachers...
With the intelligence assistance Ging provided, Kurapika identified the professions, names, and locations of the eye holders.
So what he needed to do next was to retrieve his clansmen's eyes from these people through monetary transactions as much as possible.
Everyone had their own path to follow.
Time flew by. All things grow in the flow of time, and wither in its current as well.
Some hesitate in place, while others stride toward the summit.
—--
December 1998.
A man named Ging Freecss, like a monkey just released from prison, swiftly became a missing person.
"He turned off his phone."
Atop a rocky peak, Menchi, dressed in light clothing, gazed into the boundless green forest ahead.
In her hand, she held a phone that was dialing, faintly emitting prompts like "The number you have dialed is switched off."
"Expected. We've really troubled him during this period. I imagine he must have been holding back for a long time."
Beside her, Morrow wore a face full of smiles.
After the excavation work at the ruins in Akasha was completed, Morrow and Ging found a relatively quiet place for their subsequent training.
Thus, the two stayed here for nearly half a year.
Usually, if urgent matters arose, it was best if Ging could handle them via phone calls.
If not, Chimera would transport him to deal with the issues.
In short, for someone like Ging, accustomed to freedom, this period truly felt no different from being imprisoned.
In contrast, although Menchi was also present, she only handled meals, spending the rest of her time riding Chimera back to nearby towns to live her life.
Menchi put away her phone and said, "The association's review committee invited me to serve as the second-phase examiner for the 287th Hunter Exam. I wanted to refuse, but those old folks brought up the Single Star matter, and with Chairman Netero stepping in, I had no choice but to agree."
"Isn't that a good thing? It'll add a line to your resume, which could help you in your future pursuit of the Two-Star rank."
Morrow glanced sideways at Menchi and, noticing a trace of worry between her brows, found it somewhat strange.
"What's wrong? Are you really that unwilling to serve as an examiner for the Hunter Exam?"
"I'm not exactly resistant, it's just..."
Menchi thought of many things, and the more she pondered, the more troubled she became.
Morrow asked curiously, "Just what?"
"Morrow, aren't you planning to sign up for this year's Hunter Exam?"
Menchi sighed.
Morrow grew even more puzzled and nodded, "Yes, but how does that conflict with your role as an examiner? It's not like I'd ask you to help me cheat."
"That's precisely why it's troublesome."
Menchi said with a worried expression, "If I'm the examiner, I won't go easy on the test questions. That might end up costing you the Hunter License."
"So that's what you're worried about."
Hearing this, Morrow chuckled lightly, recalling that in the original exam, Menchi's second phase had indeed mercilessly eliminated all candidates.
It was only after Netero intervened that the exam for that year was saved.
However, such an approach by Menchi was actually quite common in the Hunter Exam.
Most Pro Hunters serving as examiners would set unexpected test questions based on their personal preferences and judgments.
This casual assessment method kept the Hunter Exam's pass rate consistently low.
In the previous few exams, only Kurapika had passed.
Morrow still remembered that in the original storyline, it was precisely because of the excessively low pass rates in the preceding exams that Netero, who should have been guarding the final phase, intervened midway.
But now, the situation was different.
Due to the butterfly effect he had brought about, at least Kurapika had passed in the previous exams. Under these altered circumstances, whether Netero would intervene this time became an unknown variable.
If Netero didn't step in, given Menchi's meticulous personality, even if he were taking this exam, he might genuinely get eliminated.
Thinking this, Morrow couldn't help but grow more serious.
His reasons for taking the Hunter Exam weren't just about obtaining the Hunter License; he also wanted to see if Illumi would participate this time and whether he had already recovered his missing limbs.
If Illumi didn't show up for this Hunter Exam... then, to avoid coming all this way for nothing, he'd definitely need to secure the Hunter License.
"Menchi, don't overthink it. If I fail this time, I can always try again next year. It's no big deal," Morrow said with a light laugh.
Outwardly, he appeared unconcerned, but inwardly, he'd already started considering scouting out the Shimeile Wetland and Biskan Forest Park in advance.
"Mmm."
The worry in Menchi's expression eased slightly as she suddenly remembered something else. "By the way, did Kurapika mention anything to you?"
"About what?"
"The review committee invited him to be an examiner for this year's exam too."
"Really? But Kurapika would definitely refuse, right?"
Morrow didn't even need to think; he could guess Kurapika's reaction.
Menchi nodded. "Yes, he did refuse initially, but later he agreed."
"Oh? Did Netero intervene again?"
Morrow sounded surprised.
Menchi confirmed, "Yes, but the reason Kurapika agreed was because Chairman Netero personally stepped in and offered to pay him."
"..."
Morrow fell silent, Netero's image flashing through his mind.
To go as far as paying money just to make Kurapika accept the examiner position, it seemed Netero had specifically investigated Kurapika's current situation.
Though Morrow had been immersed in training recently, he could guess that Kurapika must constantly be short on funds while searching for his clansmen's eyes.
And Netero had exploited exactly that.
This kind of stubborn determination to achieve whatever he set his mind to, it was so typical of Enhancement types.
"Getting paid is good though."
After a moment of silence, Morrow chuckled softly.
Menchi shook her head slightly, thinking about Kurapika's circumstances, then turned to look back the way they came. "I should head to the Hunter Association Headquarters early to stand by, so I won't be able to cook for you."
"Sure, I have some things to take care of too."
A sharp glint flashed in Morrow's eyes.
Considering Illumi might participate in this Hunter Exam, he would need to continue concealing his whereabouts during the coming period. When making preparations, he might even need to disguise himself.
"Almost forgot."
Morrow suddenly stopped his train of thought, drew the Poultry Scarlet Knife from behind his back, pinched the blade between his fingers, and offered the handle to Menchi with a smile. "It's a bit late, but congratulations on earning your Single-Star Hunter title. Consider this chef's knife a congratulatory gift."
"Ah, but I haven't helped you find..."
Menchi looked down at the Chef's Scarlet Knife Morrow held out to her.
Morrow cut off her hesitation with a laugh: "Like I said, it's a gift. Just don't blame me for giving it late."
"..."
Menchi lifted her head, staring blankly at Morrow, feeling deeply moved.
Morrow urged, "Take it quickly."
"Mmm."
Menchi didn't stand on ceremony any longer. She took the Poultry Scarlet Knife, but in the next moment, she suddenly stepped forward and embraced Morrow.
"Hmph, at least you know what's good for you. It wasn't for nothing that I cooked so many meals for you."
She wrapped her arms tightly around Morrow's waist, resting her chin on his shoulder. Her voice carried a hint of pride while concealing a barely noticeable softness.
"But... I still need to thank you for your congratulatory gift."
Before her words fully faded, she suddenly turned her head and swiftly pecked Morrow's lips.
After this bold act, she didn't dare look at Morrow's reaction. She abruptly withdrew her hands, turned around, and leaped directly from the rocky summit.
Moments later, Chimera's massive figure soared upward from below.
Menchi landed steadily on its back.
"I'm borrowing Chimera for a while. Let it take me back to town first."
The mountain breeze lifted the ends of her hair.
She kept her back to Morrow the entire time, as if this could hide the slight blush on her cheeks.
On the rocky summit, Morrow watched as Chimera carried Menchi into the distance, somewhat surprised as he raised his hand to touch his lips.
Most girls with even slightly shy or reserved personalities would, at most, kiss the cheek in such an atmosphere, even if deeply moved.
But you went straight for the lips.
However... "That's exactly the kind of thing you would do."
His voice, tinged with complex emotions, drifted away with the wind.
—--
Evening.
Chimera spread its massive fleshy wings, flying toward Morrow's rocky summit against the sunset glow.
Since it became capable of hunting on its own, Morrow never needed to worry about its diet.
However, Chimera seemed to have grown accustomed to Menchi's meticulously prepared dishes, so it would sometimes specifically seek her out for delicious food.
For Chimera, Menchi's cooking was equivalent to desserts or treats.
Over the past year, Chimera's hunting frequency had noticeably increased, but its growth rate had gradually slowed.
It was as if the nutrition from ordinary prey could no longer meet the demands of its increasingly massive body.
Even so, Chimera's size had become enormous, twice that of a blue whale, with a body length of nearly 70 meters.
"Roar~!"
Chimera arrived shrouded in a large shadow, slowly landing on the rocky summit.
Its slender neck arched downward, presenting the cloth bag hanging from its beak to Morrow.
Morrow took the bag and, before even opening it, could already smell the rich aroma.
"No wonder you were gone for so long."
Inside the bag were dishes prepared by Menchi, packed in a three-tiered meal box.
Chimera had taken so long to return because it had been waiting there for Menchi to finish cooking.
"Roar roar~!"
Chimera lowered its head, gently nuzzling Morrow's arm.
Morrow smiled and patted its head in return, then sat on the ground and opened the meal box.
Inside were various dishes with a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, their enticing aroma spreading everywhere.
Morrow first set aside half for Chimera, then began eating the delicious meal Menchi had carefully prepared once again, bathed in the orange-red glow of dusk.
This time, the flavor of the dishes seemed to carry an extra hint of affection.
Chimera's tail was very long, curling backward to bring the spiral mouthpiece to its side.
As the fleshy bulb at the end of its tail split open, it swiftly rolled the portion of food Morrow had set aside, along with the meal box lid, into its spiral mouthpiece.
Seeing it eat so quickly, Morrow divided another half for it.
"Chimera, do you like Menchi?"
Picking up a piece of meat and stuffing it into his mouth, Morrow suddenly asked Chimera a question.
Chimera could understand Morrow's question, and its bird head with the feather crown immediately began shaking from side to side.
It seemed to be saying: Don't like, don't like.
After shaking its head, it then pressed its head against Morrow's side, rubbing continuously before pulling back. In its beastly eyes as it looked at Morrow, there appeared a human-like expression of anticipation.
It seemed to be saying again: I only like my master.
Morrow put down his chopsticks with a smile and gently stroked Chimera's head with his hand.
Today's sudden actions from Menchi had truly caught him off guard.